Policy Panel: Challenges and Workarounds in Testing, Investigating, and Prosecuting ‘Backlogged’ Sexual Assault Kits: Findings from the BJA’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

In 2013, Cuyahoga County began the process of testing, investigating, and prosecuting over 4,800+ Sexual Assault Kits (SAKs). The Cuyahoga County SAK Task Force has been particularly successful in the complicated process of testing, investigating, and prosecuting thousands of “backlogged” SAKs. The session will include presentations by practitioners from the SAK Task Force (victim advocates, prosecutors) as well as their research partner. The presentations will be based on findings the BJA-funded (Sexual Assault Kit Initiative) process evaluation—focusing on the challenges faced and the workarounds developed.

Sub Unit

• Policy Panels

Individual Presentations

• Resources, Resources, and More Resources - Brett Kyker, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office

• Advocating for Victims: the Challenges of Being Insiders and Outsiders - Teresa Stafford, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center; Marya Simmons, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office

• Data Collection Challenges: Databases and the Unit of Analysis - Rachel Lovell, Case Western Reserve University; Fredrick Butcher, Case Western Reserve University; Daniel Flannery, Case Western Reserve University

Chair

• Daniel Flannery, Case Western Reserve University

Discussant

• Daniel Flannery, Case Western Reserve University